Pocket tickler



June 11, 1929. F, VON MARBQD 1,717,077

' POCKET TI'CKLER' Filed June 26, 1928 I QRDCERIES I ALMDNDS HUJPICIS aun'ER 8504s EGGS $ALT$ RICE 60 F FEE 5A L'MON FLOUR BA CON aueAR 3MP MIMUJIEWS RAISINS STAROH OIL snkcn ATOES AD IONS memous OARROTS com: .FLAKES PEACH E CA KES PEPPER gzsLeRY.

MATC E5 INVENTOR.

Patented June 11, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

POCKET TICKLER.

Application filed June 26,

This invention relates to pocket ticklers of the type used by a housewife as a ready reminder, and the object of the invent-ion is to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a handy means of recording the household necessities to be replenished on her daily shopping tours.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth for presenting a visual indication of the lack of certain commodities which will create an impression upon the memory of the housewife every time she glances at the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth for manually setting the tickler parts in a simple manner to a predetermined position and from which posit-ion the parts are incapable of movement without the will of the operator, thereby minimizing the possibility of mis take.

Further objects of the invention are to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth a pocket tickler, which is strong, durable, compact, thoroughly ellicient for its inten lednse, adaoted to be positioned in a conspicuous place in the pantry without detracting from the dignity or appearance thereof, simple in 1' construction and operation and con1parainexpensive to manufacture.

ith the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically dcscribed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 are 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a pair of exhibitors and their coacting indicators mounted in their supporting means.

nigure at is a perspective view of the in- ;ater member in. accordance fviith this in cation of Fig- 1928. Serial No. 288,315.

Figure. 5 is a perspective view of the exhibitor member in accordance with this invention.

Figure 6 a section on line 66 of Figure 1.

Figure '7 is a section on line 7-'7 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in elevation of an index card for the device.

lteferrin to the drawings in detail a device in accordance with this invention comprises a substantially rectangular shaped support .ing frame indicated generally at 10. The frame includes a pair of opposite parallel side members or stiles 11, 12. The stiles are substantially channel shape in cross section and extend at right angles to and are connected with a bottom member 13 at the opposite ends thereof. The bottom 13 of the frame is rectangular in cross section and of materially less length than the stiles 11, 12. At the top, the frame is formed with a handle 14, which is made integral with and extends inwardly and above the upper end of the sides 11, 153. The handle 14;, the stiles 11, 12 and the bottom member 13 are of substantially the same width and constitute the frame 10.

The stiles 11, 12 of the frame are of like construction and the following description is applicable to both. Each of stiles, being of channel shaped cross section, is provided with an inwardly directed substantially rectangular channel 15 having a central reduced entrance or mouth 16 communicating therewith from the exterior. The inner wall of the channel is formed by the inner face of the base 17 of the stile. The side walls of the channel are formed by the inner faces of the opposed flanges 18, 19 of the stile extending inwardly at right angles from the ends of base. Each of the fiangeshave their ends turned inwardly at right angles to the flange, so as to provide oppositely disposed shoulders or abutments 20. 21 at the outer end of the channel 15 which form restrictions onsaid channels. The space between the opposed edges of the abutments 20, 21 provide the re duccd entrance or mouth 16 of. the channel 15. At the top of each stile, the abutinents 2t), 21 are removed for a portion of the length thereof, to form a U-shaped guide channel out of the rectangular channel 15 for slidably upporting the ends of a pree's er bar to tie presently referred to. The portion of the channel which forms the guides is unrestrictcd.

Secured to the bottom member 13 of the frame 10, and projecting vertically therefrom are a plurality of spaced combined supporting and guide rails preferably 3 in number are indicated generally at 22, 23 and 24. The

i 24 are modified in a manner to be presently referred to, so as to provide guides to coopcrate with theguides of the stiles 11 and 12 for slidably supporting a prcsser bar to be described later.

Each of the rails 23 and 24 are provided with a set of consecutive numbers and each number associates with an exhibitor to be described later, and constitutes an identifier therefor. The consecutive numbers are indicated at 24 and are on the exposed face of the rail. The purpose of providing the numbers will be hereinafter referred to.

The following description applies to all three of the combined supporting and guide rails, since each are of like construction. Each of the rails are provided with oppositely directed substantially rectangular shaped double channels 32 and having reduced entrances or mouths 34, 35 communicating with the channel from the exterior. The inner wall of each of the double channels are formed by the opposite faces of a common web 25 of the I-shaped rail which is disposed centrally of and is connected to the inner faces of the opposed flanges 26 and 27 of the rails. The flanges are parallel and the web extends a right angles to each flange. The inner faces of the flange 26 form one end wall of each channel 32, 33 while the inner face of flange 27 forms the other end wall of said channels. The opposite ends of each flange 26, 27 are turned inwardly at right angles to the flange to form abutments or shoulders 28, 29 on flange 26 and abutments 30, 31 on the flange 27. The abutments at the outer ends of the channel provide said channel with restrictions.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, a

I portion of each of the rails 22. 23 and 24, at

the top thereof have the webs 25 and the abutmcnts 28., 29, 30 and 31 removed, thereby leaving; the flanges 26 and 27 continuing upwardly to provide spaced parallel guides at the upper extremities of each of the rails 22,

23 and 24. The guides of the rails are in reglstry with each other and also in registry with the U-shaped unrestricted guide channels 15 of the stiles 11, 12 and by the combined coaction of all, form terminal and intermediate guides to slidably secure a presser bar to be presently described. It is manifest that the restricted channels 32, 33 0f the rails 22. 23 and 24 terminate at that portion of the rails where the guides begin.

The intermediate rail 22 is positioned in the longitudinal median of the frame 10 and is spaced equi-distant from the lateral rails 23 and 24 respectively. T he lateral rails 23 and 24 are spaced equi-distant from the stiles l1 and 12 respectively and. which distance is materially less than the distance between the intermediate rail 22 and the lateral rails 23 and 24.

Loosely stacked in abutting relation are two rows of exhibitor members 36 and 37, the ends of which are ournaled, in a manner to be de scribed, to the intermediate rail 22 and the lateral rails 24 and 23 respectively, Adjacent the outer ends ofthe exhibitor members are two rows of indicator members 36, 37, one row 36 being journaled and stacked in a like manner to stile 12 and rail 24 and the other row 37 being ournaled and stacked in a like manner to stile 11 and rail 23.

The exhibitor member has a body portion in the shape of a square prism having lateral faces 38 upon which are displayed any desired household commodity. Secured centrally to the end faces 39, 40 are a pair of pintles which project at right angles from said faces. The pintles are formed with circular kuobs 41, and 42 on the ends thereof which flare inwardly between the knob and the end of the exhibitor to ln'ovide'reduced necks 41 and 42 respectively.

The indicator member comprises a body portion in the shape of a right prism. The length of the lateral faces 43 are i'naterially less than the lateral faces of the exhibitor member and the opposed lateral faces are colored as at 44 to be optically attractive. The ends 45, 46 of the indicator have pintles extended therefrom provided with circular knobs 47, 48 and reduced necks 49, 50 similar to the knobs and necks of the pintles on the exhibitor members.

The oppositely directed double channels 32, 33 together with the adjacent abutments 28, 30 and 29, 31 respectively form oppositely directed restricted channels on the central rail 22 having the reduced entrances 34 and 35 respectively, which entrances and channels coact and register with the inner restricted channels and entrances of the lateral rails 24 and 23 respectively. The necks .42, 4141, 42 on the opposite ends of the exhibitor members extend through the adjacent reduced entrances 34, 35-35, 34 respectively of the central rail 22 and the lateral rails 24, 23 respectively. The circular knobs 42, 4141, 42 on the opposite ends of the exhibit-or members are confined within the re liit) 56, 57 are secured to the stricted channels 32, 3333, 32 respectively, with the shoulders of the knob against the abutments 28, 30-29, 31 of the central rail 22 and the lateral rails 24, 23 respectively. The foregoing construction provides for rotatably securing the rows of exhibitors 3G, 37 to the central rail 22 and the lateral rails 21-, 23 respectively so that any individual member is free to be moved upwardly and rotated when there is no pressure exerted on the rows of stacked exhibitors from al. ove. The necks 50, 49%9, 50 of the rows of indicator members 36, 37 extend through the reduced entrances 34, 1635, 16 of the lateral rail 21 and stile 12 and lateral rail 23 and stile 11 respectively, while the knobs 18, 47 on the opposite ends of the pintle are confined in the rcspec tive restricted channels 32, 15 and 33, 15 of said rails and stiles. The faces of the rows of indicators and exhibitors are in the same vertical plane, and it *ill be obvious that the tops of the rows of the said members will be in the same transverse plane. The foregoing method of journaling the exhibitors and indicators prevents lateral movement of the members.

A spring controlled retaining member indicated generally at 51 is positioned interiorly of the frame 10 in proximity to the handle 14 thereof. A transversely extending brace 52 is secured to the inner faces of the frame 1.0 at points 53, 5st where the upper end of stiles 11, 12 merge into the handle portion 14 there of. Said retaining member comprises a vertically positioned yoke shaped gripper having an upwardly curved bight portion 55 thereof in spaced relation to the handle 14 of the frame. Depending arms 56, 57 of the gripper pass through a pair of transversely spaced openings in the brace 52, one of which is indicated at 58. The depending arms of the gripper pass through the helical springs 59, 60 which are supported thereby in vertical position. The lower ends of the arms U-shaped presser bar indicated generally at 61. The lower ends of the springs 59, 6O abut against the base 62 of the presser bar while the upper ends thereof abut against the lower face of the brace 52. The sides of the presser bar bear against the guides of the unrestricted flanges 26, 27 of the rails 24:, 22 and 23 respectively, while the ends are secured against lateral movement by being confined in the unrestricted channels 15 in the stiles 11 and 12. In normal position, the springs supported on the gripper arms 56, 57 between and abutting against the brace 52 and the top of the presser bar face 62, retains the presser bar under tension and in extended position. It therefore follows, that the face 62 of the presser bar exerts a down ward pressure when in operative position, on the uniplanular top faces of the rows of stacked indicator members 36, 37 and exhibitor members 36, 37, thereby retaining At the them i mmovably confined within their respective supports.

A curved bar or strap 55 is secured to the under side and depends downw I rdly from the bight portion 55 of the retaining member 51 to provide a handle in conjunction with said bight portion.

To alter the faces of the exhibitor or indicator member, the bight portion 55 of the gripper member is moved upwardly against the tension of springs 59, (it), until the face (32 of the presser bar is free of the top faces of the rows of said exhibitor or indicator members. hen the presser bar has been moved high enough to provide clearance for rotating the said exhibitor and indicator members any or all of them may be moved in the respective channels clear of each other and rotated to any desired position. \Vhen the proper faces of the exhibitors or indicators have been brought into view the gripper member is released and the face 62 of the presser bar abuts the top faces of the rows of indicators and exhibitors under tension of springs 59, 60 thereby retaining the rows of stacked indicators and exhibitors against movement without the will of the operator.

Referring to Figure 8, wherein is shown an index card indicated generally at 65, a plain piece of paper (36 divided into a pluralit-y of spaced longitudinal columns 67, (38 by longitudinally extending lines 69. Each of the exhibitors on the pocket ticklcr are given a number. Corresponding numbers are arranged opposite the exhibitors on the faces of rails 23, 2%. Since there are four commodities on each exhibitor, one only of which is exposed at a time, it is necessary to refer to the correspomling numbers on the index to determine what articles are on the hidden. face of the exhibitor. In column (57 is arranged the exhibitor number, and opposite this number in colunm (i8 is arranged the commodity which is found on the face of correspondingly numbered exhibitor of the pocket tickler. Column 8 is arranged al phabetically to aid in quickly selecting the exhibitor number on which the commodity is displayed.

In the operation of the device, the following example will be used. The housewife finds the bacon supply needs replenishing. Column 68 of the index reveals that bacon is on exhibitor number 16. The pressure on the row of exhibitors 37 is relieved by use of the spring controlled gripping member 51, in a manner heretofore described and the word Bacon is brought into exposed position by raising and rotating the proper exhibitor. same time the optically attractive face 44 of the indicator, in row 37 is set in the exposed position. The gripping member 51 is released whereby the pocket tickler is in set )osition for reminding the houswife that the bacon supply must be replenished on her next in. said means,

shopping tour. lVhen the unattractive faces 4-3 of the indicator are exposed next to the exhibitor row on the pocket tickler the housewife is apprised of the fact that those commodities arenot exhausted.

hat I claim is I 1. A pocket tickler comprising a row of selectively rotatable exhibitor elements each being provided with conventional means to constitute the names of a series of commodities for selective display, a row of rotatable indicators each arranged at one end of an element and having means to indicate the sc- -lcctive name displayed by such element, a combined guide and supporting means common to said indicators and elements and aspring controlled retaining device common to said indicators and elements and arranged and said device boa-ring against said rows at one end of the latter.

2. A pocket ticldcr comprising a row of selectively rotatable exhibitor elements each being provided with conventional means to constitute the names ot a series of connnodities l'torselective display a row oi rotatable indicators each arranged at one end oi an element and having means to indicate the selective name displayed by such element, a combined guide and supporting means common to said indicators and elements and a spring controlled retaining device common to said indicators and elements and arrange l in said means, and said device bearing against said rows at one end of the latter and slid-ably connected to said means.

3. A pocket tickler comprising a row of selectively rotatable exhibitor elements abutting against each other each being provided with conventional means to constitute the names of a series of commodities for seleca row of rotatable indicators tive display,

each arranged at abutting against each other one end of an element and having means to indicate the selective name displayed by such element a combined guide and supporting means common to said indicators and elements and a spring controlled retaining de vice common to said indicators andelements and arranged in said means.

e; A pocket tickler comprising a row of selectively rotatable exhibitor elements abuttin against each other each being provided with conventional means to constitute the names of a series of commodities for selective display a row of rotatable indicators abutting against each other each arranged at one end of an element and having means to indicate the selective name displayed by such element, a combined guide and supporting means common to said indicators and elements and a spring controlled retaining device common to said indicators and elements and arranged in said means, and said device bearing against said rows at one end of the latter. 7

5. A pocket tickler comprising a row of selectively rotatable exhibitor elements abuttingagainst each other each being provided with conventional means to constitute the names of a series of commodities for selective display, a row of rotatable indicators abutting against each other each arranged at one end of an element and having means to indicate the selective name displayed by such element, a combined guide and supporting means common to said indicators and elements and a spring controlled retaining device common to said indicators and elements and arranged in said means, and said device bearing against said rows at one end of the latter and slidably connected to said means.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

FRIEDRICH VON MABBOD.

Til 

